Application Development Engineer III

Applications Development Engineer III
Minneapolis, MN preferred or Remote (35% travel)

About NatureWorks
NatureWorks is an advanced materials company producing renewably sourced polymers used across packaging, fibers, and specialty applications. Our Ingeo™ materials deliver performance comparable to traditional plastics while enabling more sustainable solutions.

Position Purpose
We are seeking an Application Development Engineer with deep expertise in biaxially oriented films, flexible packaging, laminations, and web converting.

This role partners directly with converters, processors, and brand owners to lead trials, solve technical challenges, and scale new applications. You will serve as the key technical link between customers, commercial teams, and internal R&D.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Application Support
• Lead customer trials, processing support, and troubleshooting (≈35% travel across North America)
• Provide hands-on expertise in biaxially oriented film processes, lamination structures, and web converting
• Diagnose performance issues and recommend solutions to enable successful product adoption

Technology & Application Development
• Translate customer needs into application requirements and development priorities
• Drive commercialization of new products in films and packaging markets
• Deliver technical training to customers and internal teams

Business Support
• Partner with commercial teams to identify and grow opportunities in packaging markets
• Provide customer and market insights to inform strategy

Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field required; Master’s preferred
• 7+ years of experience in films, packaging, or converting environments
• Strong expertise in biaxially oriented films (BOPP, BOPET, or similar)
• Experience working directly with customers on trials and troubleshooting
• Experience with extrusion, coating, and lamination technologies
• Plastics processing experience across multiple technologies (e.g., film/sheet extrusion, fiber and nonwovens, thermoforming, extrusion coating and lamination, compounding, injection molding, or additive manufacturing including LFAM), with deep expertise in at least one
• Knowledge of polymers such as PET, PLA, PE, PP, and PA (nylon)

Compensation & Benefits
• Pay Range: $115,000 to $125,000 with 13% annual bonus potential
• Paid Time Off: 180 hours of vacation, 3 floating holidays, and 9 company-paid holidays
• Family Sick Time: 56 hours (7 days) per year
• 401(k): 5.5% automatic contribution plus 50% match on the first 6%
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Fully paid short-term and long-term disability
• Benefits begin on day one